MLB Player News

Diaz has appeared in 10 Grapefruit League games to date, going 8-for-26 at the plate with two RBI and a 2:6 BB:K.

Diaz's best game of the spring came in his most recent appearance Monday, when he went 2-for-2 with a triple in a 2-2 tie with the Pirates. He served as the cleanup hitter against Pittsburgh righty Mitch Keller in a lineup consisting primarily of everyday players, so Diaz looks like he might have the opportunity to occupy a spot in the heart of the order once the regular season arrives.

The Rays optioned Padlo (illness) to Triple-A Durham on Monday.

Padlo wasn't available for the start of big-league camp while he dealt with severe headaches, but he's feeling better after having found proper medication to treat the condition. The missed time likely had no bearing on Padlo making the Opening Day roster, as he was always expected to begin the season at Triple-A. He was cleared last week to resume full baseball activities and should be ready to go when Durham opens its schedule April 9.

Wade is in the mix for the final spot on the 26-man roster along with Willians Astudillo and Jake Cave. Wade is hitting .313 (5-for-16) with a .914 OPS this spring.

Wade is likely a long shot to make the roster, but the Twins could keep both Jake Cave and Wade if Byron Buxton isn't ready to begin the season due to his recovery from shoulder surgery. Wade's ability to draw walks and play center field led to his callup for 26 games last season. But after hitting just .246/.392/.356 at Triple-A and .196/.348/.375 in the majors, he'll likely need to show more with his bat at Triple-A before getting an extended chance in the majors.

Raley was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday, Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com reports.

Raley got off to a hot start at the dish in spring games, but it wasn't enough to earn him a spot on the big-league roster to open the 2020 campaign. He'll begin the season at Triple-A, where he hit .302 with seven homers, 21 RBI and four stolen bases in 33 contests a year ago.

Arias was returned to minor-league camp Sunday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Arias went 4-for-13 with three walks in Cactus League play, but he'll return to the minors to get more seasoning. The 20-year-old will likely open the season at the Double-A level after hitting .302 with 17 home runs with High-A Lake Elsinore last season.

Dalbec was one of five Red Sox players optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket on Sunday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Dalbec was thought to have a chance at cracking the big-league roster, possibly as depth at first base, but he will instead open the season in the minors. The return of Mitch Moreland from a knee injury sealed Dalbec's fate. Moreland and Michael Chavis will share first base.

Rizzo is batting just .176 with no home runs through his first 17 Cactus League at-bats.

Rizzo is no stranger to slow starts, as the career .273 hitter has just a .241 mark in March and April. Fantasy owners will need to be patient with the slugger, but when everything is said and done, he will likely post a strong average and approach 30 home runs and 100 RBI once again assuming he stays healthy.

Olson went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run, a walk and two runs overall in a Cactus League split-squad loss to the Reds on Friday.

The slugging first baseman took Wade Miley deep in the first inning with Matt Chapman aboard for his first spring round tripper. Olson is hitting just .167 despite the homer, which was only his third hit through nine spring contests. However, there is no concern about the 25-year-old, who set career highs in multiple categories in 2019, including in home runs (36) and RBI (91).

Rizzo (finger) is starting at first base and hitting second Saturday against the Reds.

He was scratched from Thursday's lineup due to a blister, but it was clearly a minor issue.

Hiura hit his third home run of the exhibition season in Friday's spring game against the Giants.

Hiura has picked up right where he left off last season, going 6-for-16 (.375) with three homers, a double, and five RBI over seven games this spring. He has struck out just four times in 17 plate appearances, which -- albeit over a small sample size -- is a lower rate than the 30.7 percent of the time he was punched out in his first big-league campaign. Cutting the strikeouts will be key for Hiura moving forward, and if he is able to do so he could become an even more dangerous hitter than he already is.